Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner met the media after practice today, and one topic was what he thinks of comments such as that of Steve Mariucci’s the other day that Seattle could have the best defense in the history of the NFL.

Said Wagner: “We talk about being the best. We go out there all the time to prove that we can back up our bold statements that we’re the best. That’s how we prepare practice. We practice so well that I feel like the game comes easier to us. That’s something we pride ourselves on. Every time we step on the field, it’s an opportunity to show everybody that we’re a really good defense and that we’re not just going to be a good defense for one year, but it’s going to be a long time, as long as I’m here.”

Here’s more of what he had to say:

(On if he’s sore after making 14 tackles in the game Thursday) A little bit, I’m alright though. Two days off definitely helped my body so I feel good.

(On if it was weird to sit back and watch the Sunday football games) Yeah it was weird being able to watch all the football games so it was nice to sit back and look and see how everybody else views it on Sunday.

(On if, when he watches football, he watches it as a fan or a player) Me personally, I watch as a fan. I like to watch all the linebackers and see how they play on Sunday and see if I can steal some stuff from their game.

(On how he got ready for week one after being out so long due to his injury) Just doing my best to stay in shape, I had to take real good care of my body. I wasn’t getting the running that I would have gotten in practice so I stayed in the pool; I stayed doing a lot of running. That week I got back I was doing a lot of running after practice so I tried to get in shape the best way possible.

(On what he did mentally to get prepared for his return) Yeah, took a lot of mental reps and I really tried to learn and pick up stuff that I wouldn’t normally pick up when I’m out there. So there was a lot of mental grind and a lot of film watching off of the field.

(On his statement that “this is the year you’re going to pay attention to the linebackers”) I back up my statements. I think it’s just us going out there and playing our game. I feel like we’ve grown, this is our third year together so we’ve got good chemistry and it’s time to show it.

(On if his statement puts pressure on the linebackers for motivation) No, I don’t think you can put pressure on us. We just want to go out there and perform. We’ve got a great group of guys backing us and great group of guys in front of us. So we’re just trying to hold our end of the bargain.

(On how he views San Diego after playing them in preseason and how it affects the game plan for this week) We go out there and know what they’re trying to do. We know that they have a good running game, pass game is good. I think we watch the game today and see if they do anything different than they did in the preseason and go from there.

(On if, even though he got the penalty, there was a silver lining with being stride for stride with Packers WR Randall Cobb that far down field) No, I definitely should have turned my head a little faster. I have to get with Sherm [Richard Sherman] so I can get some picks. But yeah, I felt good about keeping up with him though.

(On his familiarity with playing against up tempo offenses) We work on no huddling, work on getting the calls in, and getting ready to line up faster than we normally do when we play teams that huddle. I think we did a good job of being ready, being prepared, everybody looking to the sideline, getting the play from Coach Norton, and being on it. You got to be on it when they go in fast huddle.

(On why helping out the younger players like Brock Coyle was important while he was injured in preseason) We’re only as good as our weakest link. When he [Brock Coyle] came in, I wanted to do my job and try teach him what I learned my rookie year. As many questions as he asks me, I try to answer them my best way possible and help him do a great job so he can help provide for his family.

(On when he’s in the middle of making 14 tackles during a game, if it feels like he’s making that many tackles) I felt like I had a lot of tackles. Sometimes they don’t see all the tackles but I knew if I had anything less than 10 then something is wrong.

(On if he feel like he gets short-changed on tackles) Sometimes, but we won’t talk about that. We can’t expect them to see everything.